Bill Broderick's analysis of how city, area football teams did last week and what will happen next

There are only two short weeks left in the high school football regular season. Will it be the final two weeks for your favorite team, or does the school you root for still have a shot to extend 2017 into the playoffs?

With teams needing six wins to get into the playoffs, and the fact that several squads every year get in via computer points with five wins, there are 13 area schools still with dreams of the postseason.

Each week, the Enquirer's Bill Broderick will break that down on Mondays, handing out some analysis on what all the results mean from the weekend of prep football and what to look for next.

In The City

Harper Creek

Week 7: The Beavers were able to get a big monkey off their back with a feel-good win over Coldwater on Homecoming on Friday. The Cardinals had owned Harper Creek recently, winning four straight against their rivals from the Interstate 8 Conference - including a victory last year that ended the Beavers season in the playoffs. However, Harper Creek beat Coldwater this time around and it meant more than just a revenge game. The Beavers also clinched a share of their second straight league title and remained undefeated.

Next: Harper Creek can win the Interstate 8 Conference crown outright with a victory this week - and there is no better place to do it for Beaver fans than at Marshall. The biggest traditional rival on Harper Creek's schedule, there is never any love lost when it comes to the Beavers and Marshall. Marshall comes into the game at 4-3 and needing to win out to make sure of a postseason berth.

Pennfield

Week 7: The Panthers found themselves in another offensive shootout, holding on for a 41-40 win over Hastings in league play. It comes after a 58-50 win over Jackson Northwest the previous week. Pennfield's Jaycob Herpin and Jack Day each had three touchdowns in the win, which made the Panthers 3-4 overall and 3-3 in the league, tied for third place.

Next: Pennfield was given a playoff spot last year with a 5-4 record, based on its strength of schedule. The Panthers need to win out to do the same thing this year, but the road will be tough. Pennfield will host state-ranked and defending state champ Jackson Lumen Christi this week. The Panthers then play state-ranked and undefeated Olivet the final week of the season.

Lakeview

Week 7: Some confusing, or maybe questionable referee calls, late in the contest led to a Loy Norrix upset 34-32 win over Lakeview. Loy Norrix won its second game of the year for the first time since 2012. The Spartans' offense did get going, however, scoring the most points it had in a game all season.

Next: Lakeview is now officially out of the playoff chase at 2-5, but needs a couple wins to avoid its worst season since going 1-8 in 2002. The Spartans will face a 2-5 Niles team that has lost four straight. Lakeview ends the season against 3-4 Gull Lake.

Battle Creek Central

Week 7: Battle Creek Central has lost three of its last four games to fall out of contention for its two big goals of the season - to get to the playoffs and to have a winning record. The Bearcats did see some progress on offense in a 42-33 loss to Mattawan on Friday as the 33 points were the most points by the team in a game this year.

Next: Battle Creek Central plays its lone out-of-conference contest in Week 8 as the Bearcats go on the road to face St. Johns. It has been a two-year series with St. Johns, which will end this year as BCC will look for another opponent to fill its schedule next year. The Bearcats lost 28-24 last year to St. Johns, which is 4-3 this season after beating Charlotte, 28-7, on Friday.

St. Philip

Week 7: The Tigers lost a defensive battle to Tekonsha, 14-12, on Homecoming on Saturday afternoon at C.W. Post Field. It was the first time Tekonsha had beaten St. Philip since going to 8-man football.

Next: St. Philip is playing a Litchfield team that has had five straight winless seasons and has only scored 21 points total this season. The Tigers, at 4-3, need to take care of business against Litchfield and then will end the regular season in a pivotal game against Bellevue. With the Broncos at 6-1 on the season, a St. Philip win in Game 9 of the season could give the Tigers enough computer points to make the playoffs.

Around the Area

Two teams heading to the playoffs in Bellevue and Climax-Scotts found themselves getting wins via forfeits this week. Due to a lack of healthy players, Waldron was forced to forfeit to Bellevue as the Broncos go to 6-1. Climax-Scotts was given a forfeit win by Mount Clemens on Saturday to also go to 6-1.

Olivet remains undefeated at 7-0 and won the Greater Lansing Athletic Conference outright with a victory over Stockbridge on Friday, 55-20. The Eagles' perfect season will be challenged this week as it faces 6-1 Berrien Springs. Olivet's last undefeated regular season came in 2005.